An initiative just launched by NZ On Air and Te M?ngai P?ho aims to create a way to tell stories by and for M?ori outside the traditional broadcast model.
The new joint fund for webseries has $500,000 available for up to five different projects, for M?ori audiences, or for M?ori stories for general audiences.
Up to two of the webseries funded will be fully in Te Reo.
"We are looking for new ways to reach audiences. Webseries are an innovative way to reach targeted audiences with online content they can access whenever and wherever they like," said NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson.
"Last year we specifically set aside some of our Digital Media Fund for content for Pacific audiences. This led to the creation of website TheCoconet.TV and webseries The Factory Story, which have been very successful with their intended audiences.This year we want to spark ideas for new content that makes a conscious effort to reveal something about the past, present or future M?ori world," said Ms Wrightson.
NZ On Air is very pleased to have partnered with Te M?ngai P?ho for the webseries initiative.
John Bishara, Chief Executive of Te M?ngai P?ho, agrees. "The decision to pool resources, both expertise and financial, will significantly enhance the opportunity that is created for M?ori storytellers and tellers of M?ori stories. I believe this will definitely be a case where the results will yield content more valuable than the sum of our shared contributions."
Applications for the fund must be received by 30 May. Details are on both the NZ On Air and Te M?ngai P?ho websites.